Duplex connectors for optical fibre plug connectors

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a duplex plug-in connector for optical fiber connectors, comprising two fastening devices for receiving two simplex plug-in connectors ( 14 ) for forming a duplex plug-in connector ( 22 ), the fastening devices being designed in such a way that they at least partially enclose the connector housing ( 18 ) and/or a kink preventer ( 17 ) of a plug-in connector ( 14 ) to be received.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a duplex connector, comprising twofastening devices for receiving two simplex plug-in connectors forforming a duplex plug-in connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A duplex connector of the generic type in question is disclosedby U.S. Pat. No. 579,425. The duplex connector comprises a plate-shapedelement, on the side walls of which two differently designed cylindricalpins are respectively arranged and can be inserted into correspondingholes in a connector housing of a simplex connector. Arranged on theupper side of the plateshaped element is a clip-shaped element, which inthe assembled state engages around the latching clips of the simplexplug-in connectors, so that the two latching clips of the simplexplug-in connectors can be simultaneously released by actuation of theclip-shaped element. The simplex plug-in connectors are formed withholes on both sides of their housing, so that each simplex plug-inconnector can be arranged on either side of the duplex connector. As aresult, it is possible for example for the channels to be subsequentlychanged over by exchanging or changing the simplex plug-in connectors.Consequently, the duplex connector allows a duplex plug-in connector tobe produced from two simplex plug-in connectors. A further advantage isthat, when one simplex plug-in connector is defective, only thisdefective plug-in connector has to be exchanged. The disadvantage of theknown duplex connector is the inadequate quality of the mechanicalconnection and its limited suitability for use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention is therefore based on the technical problem ofproviding a duplex connector for optical fiber plug-in connectors whichcan be used universally and realizes an improved mechanical connectionbetween a duplex connector and a plug-in connector.

[0004] According to the invention, a duplex connector is provided foroptical fiber connectors, comprising two fastening devices for receivingtwo simplex plug-in connectors for forming a duplex plug-in connector.The fastening devices are designed in such a way that they at leastpartially enclose the connector housing and/or the kink preventer of aplug-in connector to be received. As a result, the plug-in connector tobe received is securely clamped by the fastening device, the clampingforces being distributed around the plug-in housing in a waycorresponding to the design of the fastening device. A further advantageof the duplex connector according to the invention is that it does notrequire any mechanical provisions on the plug-in connector itself. As aresult, the duplex connector can be used universally for plug-inconnectors from various manufacturers.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening devices are designed asC-shaped receptacles, so that they securely clamp the respective kinkpreventer in a resilient manner. In this case, the open legs of theC-shaped receptacle are preferably formed with a bevel in order tofacilitate the insertion of the plug-in connector.

[0006] In a further preferred embodiment, a right-angled receptacleadjoins the C-shaped receptacle in the longitudinal direction of theduplex connector. This right-angled receptacle serves for securelyclamping part of the connector housing. Consequently, the plug-inconnector is securely clamped by the duplex connector on the kinkpreventer and the connector housing simultaneously, which brings about aparticularly secure mechanical connection.

[0007] The right-angled receptacle is preferably essentially of anL-shaped form, the open legs preferably being formed with a bevel.Furthermore, the L-shaped receptacle is formed with a web whichprotrudes over the upper side of the connector housing.

[0008] In a further preferred embodiment, a clipshaped element isarranged on the upper side in such a way that, in the fastened state ofthe simplex plug-in connectors, it engages over the clips of the latterso that, by actuation of the clip-shaped element, the two clips of thesimplex plug-in connectors are actuated simultaneously.

[0009] The various features of novelty which characterize the inventionare pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forminga part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the drawings:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of a duplex connector accordingto the invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the duplex connector of FIG.1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of the duplex connector;

[0014]FIG. 4 is an exploded representation of the duplex connector withtwo simplex plug-in connectors;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a duplex plug-in connection comprising a duplexconnector and two simplex plug-in connectors in the assembled state; and

[0016]FIG. 6 is a side view of the duplex plug in connection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring to the drawings in particular, the duplex connector 1comprises an upper side 2 and a lower side 3, between which a web-shapedwall element 4 is centrally arranged. Arranged on each side of the wallelement 4 is a C-shaped receptacle 5 and an L-shaped receptacle 6. TheC-shaped receptacles 5 extend over the full width 3 of the duplexconnector 1. The end faces 7 of the upper legs are formed with a bevel 8and the end faces 9 of the lower legs are formed with a bevel 10. Theend face 9 of the lower leg extends over the full length L of the duplexconnector 1, whereas the end face 7 extends only as far as the L-shapedreceptacle 6. Arranged parallel to the upper side 2 of the duplexconnector 1 in the region of the L-shaped receptacle 6 is a web 11,which is somewhat narrower than the width B of the duplex connector 1.The web 11 is likewise formed with a bevel 12. The length of theC-shaped receptacle 5 is in this case somewhat more than twice thelength of the L-shaped receptacle 6. Arranged on the upper side 2 is aclip-shaped element 13, which extends at an angle from the front side tothe rear side and goes into a part parallel to the upper side 2.

[0018] Represented in FIG. 4 is the duplex connector 1 from FIGS. 1-3,with two simplex plug-in connectors 14. The two simplex plug-inconnectors 14 are of a completely identical construction. Each simplexplugin connector 14 comprises the actual optical fiber cable 15, a cablesheath fixing means 16, a kink preventer 17 and the connector housing18. The kink preventer 17 is made up of a conical part and a cylindricalpart, the cylindrical part facing the connector housing 18. Arranged onthe connector housing 18 is a snap clip 19, which serves for latchingand releasing the plug-in connector 14 in a corresponding receptacle.The connector housing 18 itself is of an essentially cuboidal design.The snap clip 19 is made up of a latching clip 20 and a releasing clip21, which is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.

[0019] Represented in FIG. 5 is the complete duplex plug-in connector22. In this case, the cylindrical part of the kink preventer 17 issecurely clamped in the C-shaped receptacle 5 and part of the connectorhousing 18 is securely clamped in the L-shaped receptacle 6. The lateralgripping of the end faces 7, 9 with their bevels 8, 10 around thereceptacles 5, 6 makes the clamping connection mechanically very stable.The clip-shaped element 13 is in this case over both the clips 19 of thetwo simplex plug-in connectors 14, so that they can be simultaneouslyreleased.

[0020] As can be seen from FIG. 6, the releasing clips 21 are over thelatching clips 20 and the clipshaped element 13 is over the releasingclips 21. If the duplex plug-in connector 22 is then fitted into acorresponding receptacle, the latching clips 20 latch into thereceptacle. Pressure on the sloping part of the clip-shaped element 13causes the releasing clips 21 likewise to be pressed downward. These inturn press the latching clips 20 downward, so that all the clips areunlatched and the duplex plug-in connector 22 can be released.

[0021] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

fitted into a corresponding receptacle, the latching clips 20 latch intothe receptacle. Pressure on the sloping part of the clip-shaped element13 causes the releasing clips 21 likewise to be pressed downward. Thesein turn press the latching clips 20 downward, so that all the clips areunlatched and the duplex plug-in connector 22 can be released.

1) a duplex connector for optical fiber connectors, comprising twofastening devices for receiving two simplex plug-in connectors forforming a duplex plug-in connector, wherein the fastening devices aredesigned in such a way that they at least partially enclose theconnector housing (18) and/or a kink preventer (17) of a plug-inconnector (14) to be received. 2) The duplex connector as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the fastening devices are designed as C-shapedreceptacles (5). 3) The duplex connector as claimed in claim 2, whereina right-angled receptacle (6) adjoins the C-shaped receptacle (5). 4)The duplex connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the right-angledreceptacle (6) is essentially of an L-shaped form. 5) The duplexconnector as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein aclip-shaped element (13) is arranged on the upper side (2) in such a waythat, in the fastened state of the simplex plug-in connectors (14), itengages over the clips (19) of the latter. 6) A duplex plug-inconnector, comprising a duplex connector (1) as claimed in one of thepreceding claims and two simplex plug-in connectors (14).